News from the Skagit County Democrats

Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for August 5, 2024

DEMOCRATIC EVENTS

1. NEW – Ballots are due Tuesday, Aug 6
Click Here for Election Information, including Ballot Box locations.

2. UPDATED – Volunteers needed to staff our Skagit County Democrats Booth at the Skagit County Fair, Thursday – Sunday, Aug 8 – 11, Skagit County Fairgrounds, 501 Taylor Street, Mount Vernon
We need volunteers to staff our booth all 4 days, 4-hour shifts (10:00am – 2:00pm, 2:00pm – 6:00pm, 6:00pm – 10:00pm). In addition, we need volunteers to help set up Wednesday, Aug 7, 2:00pm – 6:00pm and to take down, Monday, Aug 12, 10:00am – 2:00pm. An online sign-up form has been published that shows the vacancies that need to be filled. Click Here for the sign-up form.

Our presence at the Skagit County Fair is one of our most important and most visible outreaches to the community, especially in an election year. We also frequently register a lot of voters during the Fair. Any help you can provide will pay real dividends! For questions, contact staff@skagitdemocrats.org or call our Headquarters at 360-336-1555.

If you would like to volunteer in the office by answering phones or questions that people may have, please sign up here.

3. NEW – The 39th Legislative District Democrats Executive Board meets Tuesday, Aug 20, 7:00pm – 8:00pm, via Zoom
Click Here for the Zoom link.

4. NEW – The 39th Legislative District Democrats Membership Meeting will be conducted IN PERSON, Saturday, Aug 24, 10:00am – 11:00am, location to be determined

5. The Fidalgo Democrats will not meet in the month of August
The next scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, Sep 10.

Click Here to view the most recent meeting, "How does our Court System work?" of Jul 9.

6. UPDATED – The Skagit County Democrats Executive Board meeting is being rescheduled
No new date has yet been selected.

7. Yard Sign Etiquette
As election season heats up, it's crucial to be mindful of proper yard sign etiquette to ensure we all show respect for our community while supporting our candidates. Here are some helpful do's and don'ts to keep in mind:

• DO:
  • Place signs on your own property or with the permission of the property owner.
  • Ensure signs are set back from roadways to avoid obstructing visibility or traffic.
  • Remove signs within 10 days after the election, as required by RCW 29A.84.040.
• DON'T:
  • Place signs on public property, such as parks, medians, and sidewalks, or private property without permission from the property owner.
  • Block sidewalks, driveways, or other access points.
  • Put signs in areas that violate local zoning laws or homeowner association rules.

8. Primary Election Information
Skagit County Democrats Endorsed Candidates – Click Here for a listing and their respective websites.

Washington State Secretary of State Voter Information Portal – Confirms your registration status, address, and other information.

Skagit County Official Local Voters’ Pamphlet – Click Here for the online version of the Voters' Pamphlet.

Vote "No" on all Initiatives – the Skagit County Democrats have recommended AGAINST all 3 statewide initiatives. They are:

• Initiative 2109 would repeal the state’s new tax on capital gains on certain investment profits of more than $250,000 annually. Click Here for a Fact Sheet.
• Initiative 2117 would repeal the state’s 2021 Climate Commitment Act, which requires oil refineries and other major greenhouse gas emitters to pay for pollution permits and reduce emissions over time. Click Here for a Fact Sheet.
• Initiative 2124 would allow people to opt out of a .58% payroll tax that funds a long-term care insurance benefit of up to $36,500 per person. Click Here for a Fact Sheet.

Here are the dates of significance (from the Skagit County Auditor's website).

• July 17 – Domestic ballots mailed
• July 29 – Deadline to register or update existing registration online and by mail
• August 6 – Deadline for in-person registration and voter updates – Closes 8:00 PM
• August 6 – Primary Election – Closes 8:00 PM
• August 13 – Canvassing Board Meeting, Initial Review – 1:30 PM
• August 20 – Primary Election Certification – 1:30 PM

Ballot Drop-Box Locations (Click Here for a map.)

• Anacortes
  • Anacortes Public Library (behind library near drive-up book-drop), 1220 10th Street
  • Skyline Beach Club, 6041 Sands Way
• Bow Edison
  • Fire District 5 Fire Station, 14304 West Bow Hill Road
• Burlington
  • Burlington Parks and Recreation Building, (north side of Fairhaven Ave parking lot) 900 East Fairhaven Street
• Conway
  • Conway Fire Department, 21020 Greenfield Street
• Concrete
  • Skagit Upriver Services, 45770 Main Street
• Hamilton
  • Fire District 8/Punkin Center Station, 34041 State Route 20
• La Conner
  • La Conner Library, 614 East Morris Street
• Mount Vernon
  • Mount Vernon Police Department, 1805 Continental Place
  • Skagit County Auditor's Office [Courthouse], (in U-shaped parking lot)? 700 South 2nd Street, Room 201
• Sauk-Suiattle
  • (Last Chance Casino & Bingo), 6020 Mountain Goat Way, Darrington
• Sedro-Woolley
  • Sedro-Woolley Post Office, (in alley between Eastern Ave and Metcalf) 111 Woodworth Street
• Swinomish
  • Social Services Building, 17337 Reservation Road

9. PCO Recruitment
We need more PCOs for the 2022-2024 biennial to help us Get Out the Vote in this critical election year and to help us build a strong Skagit County and 10th, 39th, and 40th Legislative District Party Organizations. You can get involved in a big way by becoming a PCO.

• Step 1: Find Your Precinct. You can use the Skagit County iMap to find your precinct.
• Step 2: Check the list of vacant precincts.
• Step 3: Application: complete this form for Skagit County and email chair@skagitdemocrats.org.

10. Rocio Lopez is requesting assistance to attend the National Democratic Convention in Chicago
Rocio has been elected to be an At Large Delegate to the Convention, Aug 19 – 22. Click Here to see Rocio's GoFundMe page.

11. NEW – Links of the Week
The Links of the Week provide in-depth pieces and resources the Editor has found to be relevant, insightful, and thorough on important issues of the day.

• Kamala Harris’ multireligious identity is a map of the future
• A half-million records and one app: The group behind a massive effort to ‘clean’ voter rolls
• The social safety net looks different in every state
• The world is sitting on a $91 trillion problem. ‘Hard choices’ are coming
• This is your brain on drugs: How psilocybin can trigger plasticity

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

1. NEW – The National Night Out, Tuesday, Aug 6,
"National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances."

• Anacortes – 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Storvik Park, 1110 32nd Street – "Join the Anacortes Police Department and a wide variety of our community partners as we celebrate first responders and community partners of all kinds! Stop by for a free hot dog, enjoy our on-stage program and visit with many local organizations who help us keep the community safe."
  • Safe and Sane Skagit is participating in the "National Night Out" at Storvik Park. "We’ll have a table promoting safe firearm storage and will give away firearm lock boxes and trigger locks along with SaSS branded information on firearm safety."
• Burlington – 3:00pm – 7:00pm, Maiben Park, 1011 Greenleaf Avenue – "Join your first responders in celebrating National Night Out. It is a time for people from across the county to come together, connect with law enforcement and each other to help prevent crime in their neighborhoods. Here in Burlington, we are committed to community policing and partnership. Now is the time to come together and strengthen these bonds."
• Mount Vernon – 5:00pm – 8:00pm, Edgewater Park, 600 Behrens Millett Road, Mount Vernon – "Join us for a city-wide Block Party! Participate in fun activities, watch demonstrations, meet your neighbors, & spend an evening out with your family & community!"
• Swinomish/La Conner – 5:00pm – 09:00pm, John K Bob Ball Park, 16966 Reservation Road – "There will be food and fun for the whole community – Dick’s Burgers, fair style corn dogs, Kona Ice + donuts, face painting + bouncy house, fire trucks, police cars, plus the Enforcement boat! Hosted by our Swinomish Police Department, Fish and Game Enforcement, and Fire District 13 – together we can make communities safer!"

2. NEW – Recreational Shellfish Harvest Closures Issued for Similk Bay and Skagit Bay Due to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) Toxins
Click Here for more information. Click Here for the Shellfish Safety Map.

3. UPDATED – The monthly Planned Parenthood for August has been cancelled
"We will be back in September! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your volunteer leader, Debbie via email debbiegrant01@gmail.com. Thank you!"

4. Call for Applications for the Skagit County Planning Commission
The Planning Commission works with the Planning and Development Services Department and advises the Department and the Board of County Commissioners on proposed land use plans and regulations in unincorporated Skagit County. The Planning Commission consists of nine members (three from each Commissioner District) and usually meets twice monthly in Mount Vernon at the Commissioners Administrative Building. Click Here for more information.
 

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. UPDATED – Coffee & Cards, Wednesdays, 10:00am – 12:00pm, Skagit County Democrats Headquarters, 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon
Coffee and Cards meets on Wednesdays from 10:00am – 12:00pm. This is the group that was previously led by Carol Sullivan and is now led quite capably by Judy Farrar and Judith Chilcote. The group is a way for us to express ourselves about issues of importance to us all.  

We will write messages of encouragement and support to people who are making positive contributions as well as messages of concern and opposition to people who are negatively impacting our world – this includes legislators on the local, state, and federal level as well as CEOs of corporations and other people having a significant impact in our world. We will share ideas for people to write to and issues to address.  

Postcards and stamps will be provided, but we ask that people bring money to cover the cost of the postcard stamps which are currently $.56. Coffee will be provided or bring your own. As Carol always reminded us, “We are stronger together.” Our office is located at 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon, 360-336-1555."
 

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